Balance Bike

[find_bruce]

Some good reading even though a little dated:
http://tview29.wordpress.com/2008/12/02 ... erun-bikes

Also this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14673

Thanks for the info. Just to note that the thread you linked to won't work anymore as a Mod kindly moved it to this forum & merged it with this thread so all the info is back in one place & accessible.

Toddlers and young kids have no preconceived ideas of good vs bad bikes, they will just get on and ride regardless of looks, quality, weight, etc. Almost any feature set requirement will be to pacify your own senses and desires, not theirs. So just pick your budget and go for it.

That is so true in relation to pretty much everything with kids.

PS subpoint about saddles: on a balance bike much more weight is borne on the saddle (due to the lack of pedals). And propulsion forces are quite different to a pedal bike (ie front to back, not top to bottom). So saddles should account for this, but few seem to, and most (on metal framed balance bikes) are bicycle styled which I'm not convinced is the best for forward propulsion and comfort. My daughter ended up complaining of a sore crotch after one long ride. Many of the wooden balance bikes use more of a wider spoon shape that I suspect may be better suited. I have no real evidence to back this up though, just conjecture...

Perhaps I should forget your earlier remarks & get the BMW

Thanks mikedufty & high_tea, it is sounding like kids love em all. Is it wrong that I am laughing with you about your boy high_tea ? I can imagine my little terrorist doing just that. He is so grabby with bikes I am even contemplating keeping my commuter clean so his hands don't get so filthy

[mikedufty]

Toddlers and young kids have no preconceived ideas of good vs bad bikes, they will just get on and ride regardless of looks, quality, weight, etc. Almost any feature set requirement will be to pacify your own senses and desires, not theirs. So just pick your budget and go for it.

What surprised me was how much use my kids got out of them, was really a primary means of transport for years, not just a toy. In that context I think having real tyres is quite an important feature. Some have toy like foam tyres, which they promote as being puncture free, but they are also grip-free and quite dangerous if going beyond the house.
The JD bugs have a balance bike specific seat, shaped more like the top of a horse saddle than a bike saddle, no complaints from my kids in hours on them.

[high_tea]

Thanks mikedufty & high_tea, it is sounding like kids love em all. Is it wrong that I am laughing with you about your boy high_tea ? I can imagine my little terrorist doing just that. He is so grabby with bikes I am even contemplating keeping my commuter clean so his hands don't get so filthy

Not at all. I mentioned the TT rig in the hope that someone out there would get a chuckle!